President Trump announced on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire.
“I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II,” Trump wrote. “This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country.”
“This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day.”
Zelenskyy acknowledged the agreement in his own social media statement. “Thank you to the President of the United States and his team for their effective diplomatic involvement,” he said. “We expect that the United States will ensure that the agreements are fulfilled by the Russian side.”
A three-day ceasefire was also announced last year between May 8 and May 11 to honor World War II. “By order of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the Russian side, guided by humanitarian motives, announces a ceasefire for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War to last from May 8, 00:00 Moscow time to May 11, 00:00 Moscow time,” Russia said in a statement last year. “Any military operations will be ceased during this period.”
